The Alliance Army was founded and operated until the Battle of Endor as a guerrilla force aimed at tying down and harassing an enemy force rather than meeting that enemy in open battle. An Alliance Army force could expect to be outnumbered in any given battle it fought against the Imperial Army, and as such its tactics were geared towards 'hit and run' rather than a conventional battle.

The Battle of Hoth was one of the few ground engagements in which the Alliance Army fought in numbers and used conventional defense tactics, and in most of its battles operated as guerrilla raiding force, harassing and tying up Imperial forces.

The Alliance Army combated Imperial Army'sAT-ATs during the Battle of Hoth. Alliance troops found their light weaponry relatively useless against the heavily armored Imperial vehicles. The most effective weapon they used to combat the Imperial walkers were arguably the T-47. The Alliance Army's role during the Battle of Endor was mostly a commando operation, in which a small strike team was deployed to destroy the energy shield generator protecting the Second Death Star.

Colonel: Commanded a regiment that was made up of 4 battalions (2,304 troops). Occasionally commanded brigades which was composed of 4 regiments (9,216 troops). The colonel was occasionally referred to as a regimental commander.[7]

General: Commanded brigades which consisted of 4 regiments (9,216 troops) or corps which was formed by 4 brigades (36,864 troops). A sector's most senior general could also command a Sector Army.[7]

Compared to the forces of the Imperial Military, the Alliance's ground forces were woefully outmatched in numbers of troops, vehicles, warships and material.[8] Because of this, Alliance commanders were taught to follow Madine's Rules of War. Striking the enemy at his weakest points, destroying their morale and outsmarting enemy commanders were seen as the best way for the Rebels to achieve victory during offensive operations.[8]

The same principle was applied to defensive operations. Army units were often tasked to provide cover while important Rebel assets escaped and other temporary holding actions; extended defensive battles would always result in the Imperial Army eventually overwhelming them with superior numbers.[8] A form of mobile defense was encouraged, whereby ground was given up when necessary in order to lure overextended Imperial forces into a trap. The Battle of Tiems was a classic example of this method and later used as an lesson to teach new Army commanders.[8]

Tactically the Alliance Army fought as a combined arms force, utilizing infantry, artillery, armor (Combat Assault Vehicles or CAVs), scout units, ground transports (Light Mechanical Vehicles or LMVs), and air support (Sub-Atmospheric Craft or SAC). Because of shortages within the Rebellion, however, not all of these elements were always present on a battlefield.[8] Reflecting the Alliance Army's way of fighting, most Rebel vehicles tended to be lighter and faster than their Imperial counterparts in order to outmaneuver them and either attack weak points or retreat in the face of overwhelming firepower.[8]

Troopers on board the Tantive IV were seen using a two-man buddy system for point and cover fire as a standard tactic.[9]